Barcelo Maya Riviera–New Video

There’s a new video out highlighting various aspects and amenities of the new adults-only resort, Barcelo Maya Riviera.  I’ve been tracking this one because it is the first resort at which I will be staying the end of February 2020.  The video shows room amenities and views, some food displays (think crab and other seafood for lunch buffet), as well as the pool and beach areas.  Some reports of recent guests say there still is no dinner buffet here which is surprising, but it may change once spring break arrives. I’ve heard this resort is extremely disabled-friendly with large ramps to be able to access the beach which is always a good thing.

Continue reading

Grand Velas–The Best of the Best?

I’ve stayed at some great resorts in my day, but Grand Velas Riviera Maya remains one of the most beautiful all-inclusives I’ve ever seen.  From the world-renowned spa (voted by Forbes as one of the 30 most luxurious spas in the world), to its acclaimed dining at Cocina de Autor, this resort epitomizes what a luxury vacation should be.

Continue reading

EDSS Oceanfront Pool Swim-Up Suite–A Suite Review

If you’ve ever been to the family-friendly Generations Riviera Maya or seen pics of that resort, the adults-only El Dorado Seaside Suites infinity section will look awfully familiar.  Each floor in the infinity section has its own pool which traverses part of the floor (you can swim along its length and make friends as you go), while the bottom or ground floor of the infinity section gives you access to the entire main pool and swim-up bar.  The room you book depends on what you prefer–the Oceanfront POOL Swim-Up Suites access the main pool, the Oceanfront Swim-Up Suites (non-main pool access) are on lower and mid-floors and some will give you stellar ocean views, while upper floor rooms in the infinity section are reserved mostly for rooms in the Oceanfront Honeymoon Suites category. Even if you’re not a Honeymooner, you can still book the room category but you will pay more for the extra amenities and fantastic views.  If you’re not a Honeymooner, I would book that category for an anniversary or if you want to impress someone very special.

Continue reading

Xhale Club Master Suite Upgrade at Breathless Riviera Cancun–A Suite Review

For those adults looking for a more high energy all-inclusive resort in the Riviera Maya, check out Breathless Riviera Cancun.  It’s located about 15 min. south of the Cancun airport and consists of three resort sections–the Xcelerate “Party Zone”, Allure, and the more quiet Xhale section with upgraded amenities including its own pool and restaurant, Kibbeh.  Breathless resorts are part of the AMResorts family (Secrets, Dreams, Now, and Sunscape resorts) which means a more upscale resort experience.

Continue reading

Looking For Something Affordable Right On The Beach?

Families are often hampered by space or finances  when vacationing.  Everyone either gets squeezed together in a small space or winds up in a location that is a second or third choice because it is more affordable.  Not so with this very easy on the wallet oceanfront all-inclusive in Cancun.  The Occidental Tucancún (a Barcelo resort) is located on a good stretch of beach facing the Caribbean Sea in the Hotel Zone; it is also located right behind the Kukulkan Mall for those who may want to shop.  It offers 332 rooms in several different building sections, three pools (one is adults-only), four restaurants, a 24-hr. snack bar, a spa, a gym, and a Kid’s Club.  A couple of negatives at this resort, though, WiFi is an extra cost and there is little beach shade.  Not all guest rooms have balconies either.  But for the cost and location, it is a nice find in the Hotel Zone.

Continue reading

Jr. Suite Oceanfront Video at the New Barcelo Maya Riviera

Interior resort videos are starting to come out at the new adults-only Barcelo Maya Riviera.  The resort just opened several days ago and it is slowly being filled by guests; right now it is pretty much a ghost town, but with Christmas and New Years coming up I’m sure the resort will be pretty much at capacity.  This new resort has 850 suites; 110 of them are swim-ups.  It will have the largest conference facilities in the Riviera Maya, so the resort has yet to experience what this will be like for the entire mega-resort (the entire resort property offers over 1.5 miles of beachfront with five additional resorts–the Barcelo Maya Beach which is right next door, the Maya Caribe, Maya Colonial, Maya Tropical, and the Palace which is at the far north end).

Continue reading

Club Med Cancun Yucatan–Take Advantage of the Jade Upgrade

Once upon a time (actually, it was around 1996) there was a family who took an adventurous trip to Mexico (it was Ixtapa–semi-adventurous).  While the dad chose the resort with price in mind, the rest of the family were whooping it up at all the activities available including trapeze and sailing lessons.  And the resort was beachfront, a big plus for everyone.  That family was mine and the resort in question was Club Med Ixtapa.  That was my first introduction to Club Med (I believe Club Med was the very first all-inclusive brand) and what a pleasant surprise it was.

Continue reading

EC Club Swim-Up Suite at the New Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres–A Suite Review

If you are familiar with the Majestic brand or have stayed at their all-inclusive resorts in the DR (Dominican Republic), you know that this name is synonymous with attentiveness to customer needs (an average of 1.5 staff members p/room), 5-star resort amenities, exclusive areas for adults with an upgrade, and the pinnacle of guest vacation requests–not having to make dinner reservations at a la carte restaurants.

Continue reading

Hard Rock Los Cabos–A Suite Review

View of the resort from the beach

Continue reading

Family Deluxe Room at Beach Palace–A Suite Review

The Palace Resorts brand has been around for quite some time and has always been synonymous with attentive guest service and good food.  Families looking for a great resort close to the action of Cancun should check out Beach Palace, part of the Palace Resorts chain of properties–check the website for “Kids Stay Free” promotions .  Palace Resorts still offers “resort credits” towards specific items such as tours, spa treatments, golf, and private dinners on the beach.  Guests receive $1500 worth of such credits by staying 5-8 nights; longer stays results in additional credits being awarded.  (Be aware that guests who use their credits will be charged a 16% service fee towards the item–for example, if a private dinner is typically $100 and a guest chooses to use their credits to “pay” for this amenity, the guest would be charged 16% of the total amount of the service).

Continue reading